System and method of providing driver software to test controller to facilitate testing by wireless transceiver tester of a device under test

ABSTRACT

A system and method of providing driver software to a test controller to facilitate testing by a wireless transceiver tester of a device under test (DUT). Using the wireless transceiver tester, executable tester instructions are accessed from one or more computer readable media and in accordance therewith bi-directional signal communications are established between the wireless transceiver tester and the test controller, and between the wireless transceiver tester and the DUT. Further accessed are executable driver instructions, including a plurality of executable driver program instructions for driving at least one of the wireless transceiver tester and the DUT, which are communicated to the test controller.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to systems and methods for testingwireless transceivers, and in particular, such systems and methods inwhich the wireless transceiver tester and device under test (DUT)operate under the control of firmware for which the test controller andDUT require compatible device drivers.

2. Related Art

Many of today's handheld devices make use of wireless “connections” fortelephony, digital data transfer, geographical positioning, and thelike. Despite differences in frequency spectra, modulation methods, andspectral power densities, the wireless connectivity standards usesynchronized data packets to transmit and receive data.

In general, all of these wireless-connectivity capabilities (e.g., WiFi,WiMAX, Bluetooth, etc.) are defined by industry-approved standards(e.g., IEEE 802.11 and IEEE 802.16) which specify the parameters andlimits to which devices having those connectivity capabilities mustadhere.

At any point along the device-development continuum, it is generallynecessary to test and verify that a device is operating within itsstandards' specifications. Most such devices are transceivers, i.e.,they transmit and receive wireless RF signals. Specialized systemsdesigned for testing such devices typically contain subsystems designedto receive and analyze device-transmitted signals, and to send signalsthat subscribe to industry-approved standards so as to determine whethera device is receiving and processing the wireless signals in accordancewith its standard.

The testing environment generally includes the device under test (DUT),the tester and a controller, e.g., a computer. The computer and testerwork together to capture the DUT's transmitted signal and then analyzeit against the specifications provided by the underlying standard; andto send tailored signals to the DUT to test its receiver capabilitiesagainst the specifications of the underlying standard.

To ensure that DUT, tester and computer cooperate accordingly, thereneeds to be a complementary relationship between the DUT hardware,tester firmware and drivers employed by the computer to coordinate DUTcontrol and test sequencing. Currently, it is up to the user to figureout which driver goes with which version of firmware, and how best toobtain that driver. The drive to innovate and create more effective andefficient ways to test often involves new driver versions andconcomitant development of new firmware. Although it would be convenientfor new drivers to be backwards compatible with older versions offirmware, doing so would inhibit innovation. Thus, so long as testerinnovation is a key objective, there will be a need to capture theinnovation in new driver versions and to pair them up with complementaryfirmware.

There are three different factors that affect that complementaryrelationship: the firmware used in the tester, the driver needed tocontrol the DUT, and the driver version used by the computer to controlthe tester. Any mismatch among the three can impair the testing process.However, imposing a backwards-compatibility restriction on new driverswould constrain innovation.

Test-system manufacturers specify the firmware and create the driversfor their systems. Similarly, chipset makers create drivers that enableintegrated circuit (IC) control. Typically, the system user willdownload these drivers from appropriate websites to the computer. Theremay, however, be incompatibilities between firmware and driver. Forexample, the driver may be more recent and not fully complementary withthe older firmware. In addition, there may be conflicts between thecurrent version of an IC and different driver versions.

Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional test system environment 10 includesthe DUT 12, the tester 14 and controller 16, interconnectedsubstantially as shown. As is well known in the art, the tester 14 istypically implemented in the form of automated test equipment (ATE),such as a vector signal generator (VSG) and vector signal analyzer(VSA), which are well known in the art. Such test equipment 14 includesfirmware 14 a for controlling the automated test procedures performed bythe tester 14.

The controller 16 is typically a computer, e.g., a personal computer(PC). The controller includes software 16 a, e.g., its operating system(OS), one or more tester drivers 16 b and one or more DUT drivers 16 c.These drivers 16 b, 16 c can be implemented as software stored within orotherwise accessible to the controller 16, or resident in the form offirmware within or otherwise accessible to the controller 16. Suchaccessibility can include external memory or storage devices (not shown)directly connected to the controller 16 or accessible to the controller16 by way of a data network (not shown).

The DUT 12 communicates with the tester via a communication link 13,which for testing purposes is a wired connection so as to ensurereliable signal communications between the DUT 12 and tester 14. Thecontroller communicates with the DUT 12 via a communication link 11,e.g., for providing control signals to the DUT 12 and collecting datafrom the DUT 12. The controller also communicates with the tester via acommunication link 15, e.g., for providing control signals to the tester14 and receiving data from the tester 14. Also, this communication link15 is used to transfer or update the firmware 14 a within the tester 14(discussed in more detail below).

These bi-directional communication links 11, 13, 15 can be in any ofmany conventional forms, such as Ethernet, universal serial bus (USB),or other types of which many are well known in the art.

As is well known, proper operation of the test system 10 requires thatthe tester firmware 14 a, controller software 16 a and the tester driver16 b be compatible, and further that the DUT 12 and DUT driver 16 c arealso compatible. Such compatibility among these components is critical,and is normally left to the user to identify and download theappropriate driver. Absent immediate or local availability of thedrivers, e.g., on a CD-ROM available to the user, such drivers can beobtained via the Internet 20 from various websites. For example, thecontroller 16 will typically include a display and a graphic userinterface (GUI) through which the user accesses the Internet 20, findsthe appropriate one or more websites, and downloads the appropriatetester driver 26 b and DUT driver 26 c to replace, update or initiallyserve as the resident tester driver 16 b and DUT driver 16 c for use bythe controller 16.

However, this procedure does not necessarily ensure that the drivers 26b, 26 c that had been so located are, in fact, compatible with the DUT12 and tester firmware 14 a. Additionally, selection of the correctdrivers can be confusing and prone to errors, particularly forinexperienced users of the test system 10.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a system and method to ensurecompatibility among software and drivers used within a test system forwireless transceivers.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the presently claimed invention, a system and methodare provided for providing driver software to a test controller tofacilitate testing by a wireless transceiver tester of a device undertest (DUT). Using the wireless transceiver tester, executable testerinstructions are accessed from one or more computer readable media andin accordance therewith bi-directional signal communications areestablished between the wireless transceiver tester and the testcontroller, and between the wireless transceiver tester and the DUT.Further accessed are executable driver instructions, including aplurality of executable driver program instructions for driving at leastone of the wireless transceiver tester and the DUT, which arecommunicated to the test controller.

In accordance with one embodiment of the presently claimed invention, awireless transceiver tester operable to provide, to a test controller,driver software to facilitate testing by the wireless transceiver testerof a device under test (DUT) includes: first transceiver circuitryresponsive to first one or more control signals by providing firstbi-directional signal communications between a wireless transceivertester and a test controller; second transceiver circuitry responsive tosecond one or more control signals by providing second bi-directionalsignal communications between the wireless transceiver tester and a DUT;and processor circuitry coupled to the first and second transceivercircuitries, operable to access a first portion of one or more computerreadable media having a plurality of executable tester instructions andin accordance therewith provide the first and second one or more controlsignals, and further operable to access a second portion of the one ormore computer readable media having a plurality of executable driverinstructions. The plurality of executable driver instructions includes aplurality of executable driver program instructions for driving at leastone of the wireless transceiver tester and the DUT, and the firsttransceiver circuitry is responsive to the first one or more controlsignals by communicating at least a portion of the plurality ofexecutable driver program instructions to the test controller.

In accordance with another embodiment of the presently claimedinvention, a method of providing driver software to a test controller tofacilitate testing by a wireless transceiver tester of a device undertest (DUT) includes: establishing first bi-directional signalcommunications between a wireless transceiver tester and a testcontroller; establishing second bi-directional signal communicationsbetween the wireless transceiver tester and a DUT; accessing a firstportion of one or more computer readable media having a plurality ofexecutable tester instructions and in accordance therewith controllingthe establishing of the first and second bi-directional signalcommunications; accessing a second portion of the one or more computerreadable media having a plurality of executable driver instructionsincluding a plurality of executable driver program instructions fordriving at least one of the wireless transceiver tester and the DUT; andcommunicating at least a portion, of the plurality of executable driverprogram instructions to the test controller.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a conventional system for testing a wireless transceiver.

FIG. 2 depicts a system for testing a wireless transceiver in accordancewith one embodiment with the presently claimed invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a method for testing a wireless transceiver in accordancewith another embodiment of the presently claimed invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is of example embodiments of thepresently claimed invention with references to the accompanyingdrawings. Such description is intended to be illustrative and notlimiting with respect to the scope of the present invention. Suchembodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable one of ordinaryskill in the art to practice the subject invention, and it will beunderstood that other embodiments may be practiced with some variationswithout departing from the spirit or scope of the subject invention.

Throughout the present disclosure, absent a clear indication to thecontrary from the context, it will be understood that individual circuitelements as described may be singular or plural in number. For example,the terms “circuit” and “circuitry” may include either a singlecomponent or a plurality of components, which are either active and/orpassive and are connected or otherwise coupled together (e.g., as one ormore integrated circuit chips) to provide the described function.Additionally, the term “signal” may refer to one or more currents, oneor more voltages, or a data signal. Within the drawings, like or relatedelements will have like or related alpha, numeric or alphanumericdesignators. Further, while the present invention has been discussed inthe context of implementations using discrete electronic circuitry(preferably in the form of one or more integrated circuit chips), thefunctions of any part of such circuitry may alternatively be implementedusing one or more appropriately programmed processors, depending uponthe signal frequencies or data rates to be processed. Moreover, to theextent that the figures illustrate diagrams of the functional blocks ofvarious embodiments, the functional blocks are not necessarilyindicative of the division between hardware circuitry. Thus, forexample, one or more of the functional blocks (e.g., processors,memories, etc.) may be implemented in a single piece of hardware (e.g.,a general purpose signal processor, random access memory, hard diskdrive, etc.). Similarly, any programs described may be standaloneprograms, may be incorporated as subroutines in an operating system, maybe functions in an installed software package, etc.

Referring to FIG. 2, a test system 110 in accordance with one embodimentof the presently claimed invention includes a tester 114 in which, inaddition to its own firmware 14 a, includes or otherwise has access to acompatible tester driver 14 b and a DUT driver 14 c compatible with theDUT 12. This makes the tester driver 14 b, which is compatible with thetester firmware 14 a, and appropriate DUT driver 14 c available locallyfor transfer to or otherwise available for use by the controller 16 asits tester driver 16 b and DUT driver 16 c. This helps to ensure thatthe controller 16 will have the correct drivers whenever it uses thistester 114 to test the DUT 12.

In accordance with one embodiment, following initialization of thetester 114, a dynamic link library (DLL) can be transferred from thetester 114 to the controller 16, overwriting what was there previously.In accordance with another embodiment, communications between thecontroller 16 and tester 114 can be used to identify the current testerfirmware 14 a and access, e.g., transfer, the compatible tester driver14 b for use by the controller 16 as its tester driver 16 b. Similarly,communications between the controller 16 and DUT 12 can be used todetermine compatibility of the current DUT driver 16 c and the DUT 12.In the event that they are not compatible, the controller 16 can thenaccess, e.g., transfer, a compatible DUT driver 14 c from the tester 114for its use as its DUT driver 16 c.

Further, in the event that there is a firmware update or revision forthe tester 114, such new firmware 14 a can be loaded into the tester114, along with an updated or revised, as necessary, tester driver 14 band DUT driver 14 c. Such a complete package of firmware and driverupdates can ensure that the tester firmware 14 a is always associatedwith a compatible tester driver 14 b and appropriate DUT driver 14 c,with little or not intervention or action on the part of the user.Additionally, it allows a single controller 16 to interact with multipletesters 114 with different firmware versions without concerns forlocating or obtaining compatible tester 14 b or DUT 14 c drivers.

Referring to FIG. 3, a method 150 in accordance with another embodimentof the presently claimed invention can be practiced as follows.Initially, bi-directional signal communications are established 152between the DUT 12 and controller 16, as well as bi-directionalcommunications 154 between the tester 114 and DUT 12. Following that isaccessing 156 a portion of one or more computer readable media havingexecutable tester instructions and in accordance therewith controllingthe bi-directional signal communications. Also accessed 158 is anotherportion of the one or more computer readable media having executabledriver instructions including executable driver program instructions fordriving at least one of the tester 114 and DUT 12. Following this, iscommunication 160 of at least a portion of the executable driver programinstructions to the controller 16.

Various other modifications and alternations in the structure and methodof operation of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in theart without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention.Although the invention has been described in connection with specificpreferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention asclaimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. It isintended that the following claims define the scope of the presentinvention and that structures and methods within the scope of theseclaims and their equivalents be covered thereby.

1. An apparatus including a wireless transceiver tester operable toprovide, to a test controller, driver software to facilitate testing bysaid wireless transceiver tester of a device under test (DUT),comprising: first transceiver circuitry responsive to first one or morecontrol signals by providing first bi-directional signal communicationsbetween a wireless transceiver tester and a test controller; secondtransceiver circuitry responsive to second one or more control signalsby providing second bi-directional signal communications between saidwireless transceiver tester and a DUT; and processor circuitry coupledto said first and second transceiver circuitries, operable to access afirst portion of one or more computer readable media having a pluralityof executable tester instructions and in accordance therewith providesaid first and second one or more control signals, and further operableto access a second portion of said one or more computer readable mediahaving a plurality of executable driver instructions; wherein saidplurality of executable driver instructions includes a plurality ofexecutable driver program instructions for driving at least one of saidwireless transceiver tester and said DUT, and said first transceivercircuitry is responsive to said first one or more control signals bycommunicating at least a portion of said plurality of executable driverprogram instructions to said test controller when said at least aportion of said plurality of executable driver program instructions isincompatible with at least a portion of another plurality of executabledriver program instructions currently accessible to said testcontroller.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first transceivercircuitry communicates said plurality of executable tester driverprogram instructions to said test controller following an initiation ofoperation of said wireless transceiver tester.
 3. The apparatus of claim1, wherein: said at least a portion of said plurality of executabledriver program instructions comprises a plurality of executable testerdriver program instructions for driving said wireless transceivertester; and said first transceiver circuitry is responsive to said firstone or more control signals by communicating said plurality ofexecutable tester driver program instructions to said test controllerfollowing one of said first bi-directional signal communications.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 3, wherein said first transceiver circuitrycommunicates said plurality of executable tester driver programinstructions to said test controller when said one of said firstbi-directional signal communications is indicative of an incompatibilitybetween said plurality of executable tester instructions and anotherplurality of executable tester driver program instructions currentlyaccessible to said test controller.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinsaid first transceiver circuitry communicates said plurality ofexecutable DUT driver program instructions to said test controllerfollowing an initiation of operation of said wireless transceivertester.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said at least a portion ofsaid plurality of executable driver program instructions comprises aplurality of executable DUT driver program instructions for driving saidDUT; and said first transceiver circuitry is responsive to said secondone or more control signals by communicating said plurality ofexecutable DUT driver program instructions to said test controllerfollowing one of said first bi-directional signal communications.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 6, wherein: one of said second bi-directional signalcommunications is indicative of a plurality of executable DUTinstructions accessible to said DUT; and said first transceivercircuitry communicates said plurality of executable DUT driver programinstructions to said test controller when said one of said secondbi-directional signal communications is indicative of an incompatibilitybetween said plurality of executable DUT instructions and anotherplurality of executable DUT driver program instructions currentlyaccessible to said test controller.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinsaid first transceiver circuitry comprises radio frequency (RF)transceiver circuitry.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said secondtransceiver circuitry comprises digital networking communicationscircuitry.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising said one ormore computer readable media.
 11. A method of providing driver softwareto a test controller to facilitate testing by a wireless transceivertester of a device under test (DUT), comprising: establishing firstbi-directional signal communications between a wireless transceivertester and a test controller; establishing second bi-directional signalcommunications between said wireless transceiver tester and a DUT;accessing a first portion of one or more computer readable media havinga plurality of executable tester instructions and in accordancetherewith controlling said establishing of said first and secondbi-directional signal communications; accessing a second portion of saidone or more computer readable media having a plurality of executabledriver instructions including a plurality of executable driver programinstructions for driving at least one of said wireless transceivertester and said DUT; and communicating at least a portion of saidplurality of executable driver program instructions to said testcontroller when said at least a portion of said plurality of executabledriver program instructions is incompatible with at least a portion ofanother plurality of executable driver program instructions currentlyaccessible to said test controller.
 12. The method of claim 11, whereinsaid communicating at least a portion of said plurality of executabledriver program instructions to said test controller comprisescommunicating said at least a portion of said plurality of executabledriver program instructions to said test controller following aninitiation of operation of said wireless transceiver tester.
 13. Themethod of claim 11, wherein: said at least a portion of said pluralityof executable driver program instructions comprises a plurality ofexecutable tester driver program instructions for driving said wirelesstransceiver tester; and said communicating at least a portion of saidplurality of executable driver program instructions to said testcontroller comprises communicating said plurality of executable testerdriver program instructions to said test controller following one ofsaid first bi-directional signal communications.
 14. The method of claim13, wherein said communicating at least a portion of said plurality ofexecutable driver program instructions to said test controller comprisescommunicating said plurality of executable tester driver programinstructions to said test controller when said one of said firstbi-directional signal communications is indicative of an incompatibilitybetween said plurality of executable tester instructions and anotherplurality of executable tester driver program instructions currentlyaccessible to said test controller.
 15. The method of claim 11, whereinsaid communicating at least a portion of said plurality of executabledriver program instructions to said test controller comprisescommunicating said plurality of executable DUT driver programinstructions to said test controller following an initiation ofoperation of said wireless transceiver tester.
 16. The method of claim11, wherein: said at least a portion of said plurality of executabledriver program instructions comprises a plurality of executable DUTdriver program instructions for driving said DUT; and said communicatingat least a portion of said plurality of executable driver programinstructions to said test controller comprises communicating saidplurality of executable DUT driver program instructions to said testcontroller following one of said first bi-directional signalcommunications.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein: one of said secondbi-directional signal communications is indicative of a plurality ofexecutable DUT instructions accessible to said DUT; and saidcommunicating at least a portion of said plurality of executable driverprogram instructions to said test controller comprises communicatingsaid plurality of executable DUT driver program instructions to saidtest controller when said one of said second bi-directional signalcommunications is indicative of an incompatibility between saidplurality of executable DUT instructions and another plurality ofexecutable DUT driver program instructions currently accessible to saidtest controller.
 18. The method of claim 11, wherein said establishingfirst bi-directional signal communications between a wirelesstransceiver tester and a test controller comprises establishingbi-directional radio frequency (RF) signal communications.
 19. Themethod of claim 11, wherein said establishing second bi-directionalsignal communications between said wireless transceiver tester and a DUTcomprises establishing bi-directional digital networking signalcommunications.